Eyelash and eye area cleaning cloths and drying cloths and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

A method for removing eye makeup comprises: providing a makeup removal cloth comprising a bamboo fabric having an interlock knit; moistening the makeup removal cloth with water or a makeup removal fluid; positioning the makeup removal cloth at an inner portion of an eyelid or under eye region of the user; and moving the makeup removal cloth from the inner portion of the eyelid or under eye region to an outer portion of the eyelid or under eye region.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/536,611, filed Jul. 25, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to eyelash and eye area cleaning and drying cloths and methods of using same, and in particular, to makeup removal cloths and drying cloths for use with eyelash extensions.

BACKGROUND

The eyelash extension industry is a growing industry. Eyelash extensions are typically semi-permanent extensions made from individual synthetic eyelashes formed from synthetic polyester that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. Natural fiber extensions made from animal hairs are less popular due to potential allergic reactions. The lash extensions are generally thicker at the base and taper to a fine pointed end. Eyelash extension artists apply eyelash extensions one by one to each individual natural lash. Eyelash extensions can darken and lengthen existing lashes and can reduce the need for eye makeup such as mascara, which must be applied daily and can come off, forming dark marks in undesirable areas around the eye.

However, caring for eyelash extensions remains a challenge. Conventional towels, washcloths and other eye makeup removal products can catch on the extensions, which may reduce eyelash extension longevity, or leave lint and other product materials on the eyelash extensions. Washing eyelash extensions may also leave the lashes with clumping due to the application of water.

In addition, many people are allergic or otherwise sensitive to irritations from the harsh chemicals used in typical eye makeup removal products regardless of whether they wear eyelash extensions.

Therefore, there is a need in the industry for products designed for eyelash extensions care and/or people with sensitive skin.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments, a method for removing eye makeup comprises: providing a makeup removal cloth comprising a bamboo fabric having an interlock knit; moistening the makeup removal cloth with water or a makeup removal fluid; positioning the makeup removal cloth at an inner portion of an eyelid or under eye region of the user; and moving the makeup removal cloth from the inner portion of the eyelid or under eye region to an outer portion of the eyelid or under eye region.

In some embodiments, a kit comprises a makeup removal cloth comprising at least one of the following: at least about 40%-80% bamboo; at least about 20%-40% cotton and at least about 5%-25% spandex; at least about 60% bamboo; at least about 30% cotton and at least about 10% spandex; 32 s yarn (or 32 s yarn+/−2); and a weight range of about 350 to 370 gsm; and a eyelash extension drying cloth comprising at least one of the following: 40 s double ply yarn (or 40 s yarn+/−2); a weight range of about 700-720 gsm; a weight of about 712 gsm; and 100% cotton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention.

FIGS. 1-10 are images illustrating methods and cleaning cloths according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an image of a kit having a makeup removal cloth and a drying cloth according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting,” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under.” The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a “first” element discussed below could also be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 11, a makeup removal cloth may be used for removing eye makeup. The makeup removal cloth can include a bamboo fabric having an interlock knit. As shown in FIG. 11, the makeup removal cloth may be provided together with a drying cloth in a kit.

The makeup removal cloth may be formed of bamboo, cotton, and/or spandex. In some embodiments, the makeup removal cloth comprises at least about 40%-80% bamboo; at least about 20%-40% cotton and at least about 5%-25% spandex. More particularly, the makeup removal cloth may be formed of at least about 60% bamboo; at least about 30% cotton and at least about 10% spandex. The makeup removal cloth can be knit of 32 s yarn (or 32 s+/−2) in an interlock knit weave. The makeup removal cloth may have a weight range of about 350 to 370 grams per square meter (gsm). The makeup removal cloth may be black or brown so that no light colored fabric is left on the eyelashes. In some embodiments, the mesh density of the makeup removal cloth is 320 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 12, the makeup removal cloth described herein may be provided (Block 10; FIG. 12) may be moistened using water and/or a makeup removal fluid, such as commercially available makeup removal solutions (Block 12; FIG. 12) and positioned at an inner portion of an eyelid (FIG. 1) or under eye region (FIG. 3) of the user (Block 14; FIG. 12). The makeup removal cloth is then moved from the inner portion of the eyelid or under eye region to an outer portion of the eyelid (FIG. 2) or under eye region (FIG. 4) (Block 16; FIG. 12).

In some embodiments, the user has eyelash extensions and the makeup removal cloth has a minimal amount or no snagging with the eyelash extensions such that the removal cloth generally does not remove the eyelash extensions. The makeup removal cloth described herein is formed of a fabric that is typically used for clothing, such as knit t-shirts. It has been discovered that such fabric may be unexpectedly well-suited for makeup removal because the fabric binds with makeup yet has a sufficiently tight weave that snagging and pulling on eyelash extensions is reduced or avoided, which can improve the longevity of the extensions. In some embodiments, no makeup removal products may be needed, and makeup may be removed with only water. In some embodiments, the user does not wear eyelash extensions. It is noted that makeup may be removed without requiring harsh chemicals from makeup removal products, which may be beneficial to people who are sensitive or allergic to such products.

As shown in FIG. 5, when eyelash extension are wet, they may undesirably clump together rather than be separated as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the drying cloth shown in FIG. 11 may be used to dry eyelash extensions with reduced or eliminated catching and pulling on the extension to achieve separated eyelash extensions as shown in FIG. 6. The drying cloth may also reduce or eliminate lint being left on the eyelash extensions. The drying cloth may formed of a knit cotton fabric more typically used for clothing such as sweatshirts and has a flat side and a rough side. The drying cloth can be formed of 40 s double ply yarn (or 40 s+/−2), have a weight range of about 700-720 gsm or 712 gsm. The drying cloth may be black or brown and/or may be formed of 100% cotton.

As shown in FIG. 7, the drying cloth is provided (FIG. 12; Block 20), and the flat side of the drying cloth may be contacted to a base portion of the eyelash extensions (FIG. 12; Block 22). As shown in FIG. 8, the drying cloth may be moved from the base portion of the eyelash extensions to a tip portion of the eyelash extensions to absorb water on the eyelash extensions with reduced snagging of the eyelash extensions (FIG. 12; Block 24).

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 11, the drying cloth comprises a rolled hem. As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the eyelash extensions may be contacted with the rolled hem with upward strokes to thereby separate the eyelash extensions.

Drying cloths according to some embodiments are formed of fabric(s) described herein that are more typically used in clothing such as sweatshirts and not in drying towels. It has been discovered that such fabric may be unexpectedly well-suited for drying eyelash extensions because the drying cloth fabric is able to absorb sufficient water which reducing or eliminating snagging and pulling on eyelash extensions, which can improve the longevity of the extensions.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for removing eye makeup, the method comprising: providing a makeup removal cloth comprising a bamboo fabric having an interlock knit; moistening the makeup removal cloth with water or a makeup removal fluid; positioning the makeup removal cloth at an inner portion of an eyelid or under eye region of the user; and moving the makeup removal cloth from the inner portion of the eyelid or under eye region to an outer portion of the eyelid or under eye region.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth further comprises cotton.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth further comprises spandex.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth comprises at least about 40%-80% bamboo; at least about 20%-40% cotton and at least about 5%-25% spandex.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth comprises at least about 60% bamboo; at least about 30% cotton and at least about 10% spandex
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth comprises 32 s yarn.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth comprises a weight range of about 350 to 370 gsm.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth comprises an interlock weave.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth is black or brown.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user has eyelash extensions and the makeup removal cloth has a minimal amount or no snagging with the eyelash extensions such that the removal cloth generally does not remove the eyelash extensions.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user has eyelash extensions, the method further comprising: providing a drying cloth, the drying cloth comprising knit cotton having a flat side and a rough side; contacting the flat side of the drying cloth to a base portion of the eyelash extensions; moving the drying cloth from the base portion of the eyelash extensions to a tip portion of the eyelash extensions to thereby absorb water on the eyelash extensions with reduced snagging of the eyelash extensions.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the drying cloth comprises a rolled hem, the method further comprising: contacting the eyelash extensions with the rolled hem with upward strokes to thereby separate the eyelash extensions.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the drying cloth comprises 40 s double ply yarn.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the drying cloth comprises about 700-720 gsm.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the drying cloth comprises 712 gsm.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the drying cloth comprises 100% cotton.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the drying cloth is black or brown.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the makeup removal cloth comprises at least one of the following: at least about 40%-80% bamboo; at least about 20%-40% cotton and at least about 5%-25% spandex; at least about 60% bamboo; at least about 30% cotton and at least about 10% spandex; 32 s yarn; and a weight range of about 350 to 370 gsm.
 19. A kit comprising: a makeup removal cloth comprises at least one of the following: at least about 40%-80% bamboo; at least about 20%-40% cotton and at least about 5%-25% spandex; at least about 60% bamboo; at least about 30% cotton and at least about 10% spandex; 32 s yarn; and a weight range of about 350 to 370 gsm; and a eyelash extension drying cloth comprising at least one of the following: 40 s double ply yarn; a weight range of about 700-720 gsm; a weight of about 712 gsm; and 100% cotton.
 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the drying cloth comprises a rolled hem. 